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HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF
WARKWORTH
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Although Warkworth owes its chief interest to the castle, the beauties
of its natural scenery and situation enhance the charm of the site. The
castle itself occupies a commanding situation on the top of a hill up
which the town climbs to the very foot of its outer walls, and the
neighbouring country being flat, the donjon can be seen for many miles
around, standing out conspicuously against the sea. Immediately below
the keep, the green slopes of which are clothed with trees, the Coquet
winds in graceful curves between two steep banks, round three sides of
the hill and the haugh upon which the town of Warkworth stands. Upon the
peninsula thus formed, the long street of the town, with its red-tiled
and blue-slated houses, rises in slow and regular ascent from the bridge
to the castle. |
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Near the bridge is a quaint
seventeenth-century house belonging to Mr. Thomas Clutterbuck,
N which has very fine wrought iron gates and
railings, and standing by it are some old and well-grown lime trees.
Facing the street and occupying the site of four burgage houses, is a
house and garden reconstructed about the year 1830, by Mr. John Forster,
a native of the village, who, on retiring from the service of the great
London brewing house of Calvert & Co., purchased part of the fittings of Brandenburgh house, the residence of Queen Caroline, and brought to
Warkworth a bronze staircase, some marble chimney-pieces, and other
furniture.
The township comprises an area of 1,129 acres, the greater part of
which lies on the south side of the river; though a piece of ground
called Warkworth New-town (which will be more particularly described),
stretching out as an arm towards the north-east and Warkworth Moor, and
the old common pasture of the burgesses, extending like another arm to
the south-west, are, both situated on the north bank of the Coquet.
The southern part of the township contains the farms of Old-barns,
New-barns, and the Maudlin farm, which comprise the chief part of its
area and represent the lord's park and demesne lands. The population in
1891 was 666.
N Though the moated mound of
Warkworth must doubtless have
been occupied from a very early
period, few traces have been found of the prehistoric inhabitants in its
immediate neighbourhood. On the moor or common pasture there is an
artificial mound, described by the Rev. John Hodgson as `hedged in by a vallum over the peninsula from one bank of the river to the other, and on the outside of the valium (about 200
yards over against Morwick mill) is a square encampment, each side about
50 yards, and defended by a ditch about 5 feet deep and 3 yards broad.'
N |
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EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY IRON GATES. |
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In 1854, in making a new road across the moor, a quern was found
about a foot below the surface, near the same place. The lower stone is
a circular disc of no great thickness, and the runner is of conical
form, having at the top a cavity splayed outwards to receive the grain,
and on the side near the bottom, a hole to receive the handle.
N In the
same year and near
the
same place a creeing-trough was found about a foot under the ground ;
the cavity is 7 inches in diameter and is nearly 4 inches in depth.
N
The prescriptive borough of Warkworth comprises 77 reputed burgess
houses, or the steads or sites on which burgage houses at one time
stood. Besides his house and garden held in severalty, each burgess by
immemorial custom enjoyed, as appendant to his house, certain plots of
ground originally held by copy of court roll or by some other customary
tenure, but which, for many years past, have been recognised as
freehold. To the community belonged a common pasture or moor, asserted
by tradition to have been given to them by Sir Hugh de Morwick.
N The
borough was governed by a grieve, chosen by the burgesses themselves, by
a system of rotation, and appointed at the annual court leet, under whom
served such officers as moor-grieve, bread-weighers, ale-conners, the
townsherd, etc. |
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WARKWORTH QUERN |
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As in other similar cases, the castle has absorbed the attention of
those, who, in time past, have written about Warkworth, but the history
of the borough and community possesses a sufficient claim to be related.
The charter of Henry II. to Roger fitz Richard included the right of tol
and team, soc and sak and infangenthef.
N Warkworth had been farmed by
the sheriff of the county, and on its dimission a definite allowance of
£32 2s. was made to him as its then value.
N In the twelfth century, salt-pans in Warkworth were granted
to the abbot and convent of Newminster by Simon de St. Liz, earl of
Northumberland,
N and others to the abbot and convent of Alnwick by
Eustace fitz John.
N In the invasion of Northumberland in 1174, on
Saturday, the 13th of July, the day on which William the Lion was
captured at Alnwick, a detachment of his army, led by Duncan, earl of
Fife, having entered and burnt the town of Warkworth, put the
inhabitants to the sword under especially cruel circumstances.
N
In the inquisition taken in 1249, after the death of
Roger fitz John, the jurors, who were Thomas ad crucem, Robert clericus,
Henry de Botelesdune, Henry piscator, Robert son of Anning, William son
of Alice, and Robert Scot, say that there were in demesne at Warkworth,
4 carucates containing 311 acres worth 5d. an acre, the sum £6 9s. 7d. ;
and 15 acres of meadow worth 18d. an acre, including the head-riggs of
the corn-land, the sum 22s. 6d. The ferm of the borough of Warkworth
with that of the New-town was £3 18s. 72d. Each house of the borough and
of the New-town (60 houses in all) was to find a man to reap for two
days in autumn, the lord providing his food, or to pay one penny for the
two days. The borough toll and brewing rent carne to 10s. ; the rent of
the oven was 20s. The mill brought in the large sum of £26 13s. 4d., out
of which the prior of Tyne-mouth received £2 by charter. The fishery,
with a small vessel called a coble, was worth sometimes more, sometimes
less, in that year £6. Three salt-pans yielded a rent in kind of eight
quarters of salt, each quarter valued at 16d., the sum 10s. 8d. ; they
also paid 3s. 4d. for a site of about half an acre. There was a small
piece of ground divided into two closes
L for keeping cattle ; the herbage and yard were worth 2s. a
year. There was also a small round wood called Sunderland, half a league
N in circuit, of which the herbage pertained to the demesne.
Sum of the aforesaid vill, £44 12s. 11½d., beyond 40s. which the prior
of Tynemouth receives.
N
In 1293 Robert fitz Roger claimed to possess, and was allowed
to have, a weekly market to be held on Monday, in his manor of New-town,
near Warkworth, and a yearly fair to continue three days, viz., the eve,
the day, and the morrow of the feast of St. Lawrence (10th of August).
He also claimed to have wreck of the sea by custom anterior to the reign
of Richard I., by prescription free warren in all his demesne lands in
Warkworth, and the feudal rights and privileges of waifs, tumbril, and
pillory, with the assize of bread and ale and the market tolls.
N
Several small suits relating to Warkworth are entered in the
Banco and Patent Rolls in the early part of the reign of Edward I. Emma,
the daughter of Henry de Brumfeld, claimed certain tenements from Robert
fitz Roger.
N Nicholas de Castelkirk was one of the defendants in a suit
brought by Robert de Stutevill and Alianora his wife against Hugh de
Eure and others.
N Adam de Kynton and Christiana his wife claimed the moiety of
a messuage from John de Weston.
N
The vill of Warkworth was assessed on Z7 5s. 6d. to the subsidy of 1296
; the payment fell upon eight persons only. |
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TAXATIO VILLAE DE WERKEWORTH AD
UNDECIAIUM, 1296. |
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£. s.
d. |
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s. d. |
| Summa bonorum |
Rogeri de Haukislawe |
0 14 0 |
unde regi |
1 3¼ |
| " |
Alani Holpot |
1 7 0 |
" |
2 5½ |
| " |
Walteri filii Willelmi |
0 11 0 |
" |
1 0 |
| " |
Roberti de Morewike |
0 12 0 |
" |
1 1 |
| " |
Johannis de Weston |
0 15 6 |
" |
1 5 |
| " |
Ricardi Algode |
0 18 0 |
" |
1 7¾ |
| " |
Wythe |
0 15 0 |
" |
1 4½ |
| " |
Willelmi Tendeman |
1 13 0 |
" |
3 0 |
| Summa hujus villae, £7
5s. 6d. Unde domino regi, 13s. 2¾d. |
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In the inquisition taken in
1310, after the death of Robert fitz Roger, it was found by the jurors
that he had held the castle and vill of Warkworth of the king in chief
by the service of one knight's fee. The ferm of the vill of Warkworth,
which `is a borough from old time,' was worth £2 7s. 7½d. per annum.
There were some tenements newly let called the vill of the new borough,
the ferm of which was worth . £1 16s. 4d. per annum. There were of
demesne 120 acres of arable land, each acre being worth 6d., £3 ; 40
acres of meadow, each acre being worth 2s., £4. The common oven and the
the king in chief in his demesne as of fee ` talliante,' by homage and
fidelity, and by two knight's fees. The castle and manor were worth
nothing beyond reprises. Fifteen score and 13 acres of demesne land were
worth, at 6d. an acre, £7 16s. 6d. A certain separate pasture called `
Wollemer ' was worth and paid 20s. per annum. The rents payable out of
the burgage houses were £5 1s. The water mill was worth £10 a year, the
herbage of Sunderland wood 5s., and the court fees 7s. 4d. per annum.
N
Henry Percy the Short died at Warkworth on the 18th of May,
1368, in possession of the same demesne and other lands held by his
father, but the rent of the pasture called Wolemere was reduced to 13s.
4d., and the value of the court fees to 6s. 8d.
N |
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The bridge by which the town is
approached from the north was erected during the last quarter of the
fourteenth century.
N The best view of it is obtained from the north side looking
westward, in which direction the gateway which surmounts the bridge at
its south end, and the adjoining buildings, topped by the church spire,
form a picturesque group.
The bridge has two segmental arches, each having a span of 60 feet
springing from a mid-river pier and land abutments.
The water pier, standing on a stout base of several splayed
courses, is hexagonal in shape, being angled towards the course of the
river ; it is 22 feet wide by 40 feet to the extreme angles (or
starlings) of the pier.
The abutments have long wing walls extending up and down the river.
The arches which spring from a chamfered impost are formed of four ribs,
the outer ribs only being chamfered on their exterior edge, and above
the latter are two chamfered oversailing courses forming towards the
river an arch of three orders. The parapet which encloses the roadway,
11 feet in width, passes round the starlings or angles of the pier, and
forms a recess or 'refuge' for foot passengers on each side of the
middle of the roadway. Until about 1830 `an ancient cross with the arms
of the Percies thereon ' stood in the east refuge or recess.
N |
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guarded by a small and simple gateway. It is not of the military type
with large bastions, nor is it to be compared with the noble gateway to
the castle beyond, or the examples to be seen at Alnwick. It is of two
stories without buttresses or string-courses, and is now unfortunately
devoid of parapet or machicolations. It measures on the exterior 27 feet
3 inches by 18 feet. The entrance, 10 feet wide, is by a four-centred
archway of two chamfered orders continued to the ground, and opening
into a passage, 11 feet in width, covered with a flat vaulted ceiling.
An arched opening, in which is an old door, gives access on the west
side of the passage to a porter's lodge measuring 12 feet 3 inches by 6
feet 3 inches, lighted by a slit at each end, and covered by a flat
four-centred (almost segmental) vault springing from the ends of the
apartment.
N It has a stone seat at its north end. On the east side of
the passage, a door opposite that on the west, opens into a stone
newel-staircase, arranged in the thickness of the wall, which is here 5
feet wide ; elsewhere the walls are only about 2 feet 4 inches in
thickness. The south end of the passage is finished square, the arch of
one order, which encloses the vaulting, dying into the sides of the
passage. The upper floor is roofless, and has been ` restored' ; it
measures 22 feet 6 inches by 13 feet 3 inches, and was lighted by
windows on all four sides ; three of these, two on the south and one on
the west side, have chamfered and rebated jambs, and are 2 feet wide.
Only a jamb of a window remains on the north side, where there may
possibly have been two small or one large window. The staircase occupies
the south-east angle of the room and projects into it, the space between
it and the north wall forming a sort of ingle nook in which is a
fire-place, and a small window affording a pleasant view of the river.
There are three corbels 7 feet above the floor level in the angles of
the room, which may have supported another floor, or with greater
probability the roof. The staircase is continued to a higher level and
no doubt opened on to the roof, which may have had a parapet and
machicolation of which there is now no evidence. At the west end there
are some stones which suggest a stepped gable. Portions of the east end
of the upper chamber and the arch to the gateway and masonry near it
have been restored. |
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| The Court Rolls of the. manor of Warkworth begin
in 1473,
N at which period the courts seem to have been held every
month, though the steward's expenses were sometimes more than the
profits. The following abstracts and details are taken from the
documents : |
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WARKEWORTH. |
At the head court held on the Monday after
St. Luke's day (18th of October), 1473.
The jurors for Warkworth were : John Rosse, William Haysand, Thomas
Haysand, William Hogeson, Thomas Hordon, William Smyth,
James Robertson, John Androson, John Browster, Thomas
Marshall, John James, William Cowik. They presented William
Alanson, shoemaker, for making affray and shedding the blood
of John Pennisson and his wife. William Gosetan, Richard
Cook, Patrick Brown, William Cuthbert, William Wightman,
Ralph Bailye, William Thomson, William Cowick, John
Wherriour, Thomas Marshall, Robert Lyon, and William Milner
were presented by the flesh-tasters and were amerced `pro
factura assise ceruisie.' John Wherriour, William Cowik,
Ralph Bailye, William Wightman, William Cuthbert, Patrick
Brown, and Richard Cook were presented by the bread-weighers
and were amerced `pro fractura assise panis.' Robert Beisby
complained of Alan Clerke on a plea of debt.
The jurors for Acklington were : William Male, Robert Wright,
Robert James, John Sympson, Thomas James, Thomas Smyth,
Thomas Clefeland, Robert Wright, Robert James, Robert Hudson
senior, Robert Hudson junior, John Smyth.
The jurors for Birling were : Richard Hudson, John Brown,
John Hudson, Thomas Wharriour, Robert Page, John Brown,
Robert Govet, Robert Brown, Nicholas Crowford, James
Robertson. They presented Thomas Wherriour for keeping swine
in the corn. John Paxton answered on a plea of trespass
brought by William Buston. Henry Temple was amerced `quia
utilis aliis molendinis.'
The Birling jury presented Robert Page, John Brown, Robert
Brown, Nicholas Crawford, Thomas Alder, and James Robertson
for allowing their swine to stray in their neighbours' corn
and they were amerced. Richard Hudson, Robert Page, Robert
Brown, and John Brown were fined `pro equo suo.' Nicholas
Crawford, Thomas Alder, James Robertson, and John Brown were
fined for allowing their cattle to be amongst the corn at
night. Thomas Wate complained against John Davy on a plea of
debt. Ralph Bailze was amerced for making affray upon
Elizabeth Wilkynson. Thomas Haysand was amerced pro fractura
pene . . . . with his sheep. Alan Clerk complained against
William Tempill on a plea of debt. Thomas Watson, Alexander
Lilbourn, William Carr, .and Isabella Wardell `fecerunt
finem pro respectu communis secte eiusdem relaxande pro
denariis ut in capite.' John Haull and John James ` non
fecerunt in officio suo debitam prescentacionem ideo ipsi in
misericordia quia non tastarunt ceruisiam.'
The jury presented John Wherriour 'disobediunt constabulariis
paris ideo ipse.' William Male was elected grieve of
Acklington for the forthcoming year, and was sworn. John
Smyth, Thomas Smyth, William Gibson, and Robert Wright were
elected to be the four jurors of Acklington. James Robertson
was elected to be borough grieve of Warkworth for the
forthcoming year, and was sworn. Richard Cook and Patrick
Brown were elected to be the constables of the peace, and
were sworn. John Young and Alexander Brown were elected to
be bread-weighers (supervisores panis). John Hall and John
James were elected to be ale-tasters (ad supervidendum
ceruisiam). 'William the butcher and Robert Toderik were
elected to be flesh inspectors (ad supervidendum carnem).
Receipts of court, 14s. 4d. Expenses of John Cartynton the
steward, 2s. 6d.
At a court held on the Monday after Martinmas, 1473, William Buston
did not offer to prosecute John Paxton for trespass.
At a court held on the Monday after the 30th of November, 1474,
Robert Page, Thomas Wherriour, and Robert Brown were amerced
for not repairing the pinfold.
At a court held the 12th of June, 1475, John Rohynson of Walk-mylne
was amerced `pro interfeccione a salmon in aquis
domini.' The grieve of the castle presented Thomas Haysand
and others for rutting up the lord's meadows within the
demesne.
At a court held on Monday before the 29th of December, 1475, John
Brown of Birling brought a plea of trespass against Robert
Shiphird and his neighbours, tenants in Nether Buston.
At a court held on the Monday after the 1st of November, 1479,
Edward Hogeson was amerced quia non habet Jacobum Hill ad
respondendum Thorne Fyssherre capellano in placito debiti et
distringatur.'
At a court held on Monday, the 18th of October, 1480, the tenants
of Birling, by Thomas Warriour as their attorney, complained
against William Mantle of Glowcistre in a plea of trespass.
Four men were fined 2d. each `pro vendicione carnis contra
assisam.' |
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In 1474, 12d. was allowed to the
bailiff for the repair of the lord's pinfold. A payment of 3d. from each
house whence smoke issued due to the lord under the name of rekesylver'
(which in 1472 and in the following years amounted to11s. 9d. a year)
was from the year 1479, with a brewery rent of 14d. a year, termed `
watersvlver,' allowed to the burgesses to set against the loss of a
parcel of their common enclosed within the lord's new park. The `
tolboth ' lay waste and yielded no profit to the lord in 1479.
There were two burgages known as Saint Mary and the Holy Cross
which had yielded a rent of 12d. a year to the lord, but which, in 1480,
were let at 6d. a year. The common oven, the assize of ale, and the toll
of the vill were let for 33s. 4d. a year.
N
The following list of tenants shows that a not inconsiderable
number of the burgage houses were either in the dead hand or annexed to
offices. The churchwardens of the parish held the large number of
fifteen burgages, perhaps in trust for the poor ; the chaplains of St.
Mary's chantry
N at Alnwick held four ; John Scales, a chaplain (perhaps of
the chantry within the parish church), held one ; the vicar held several
; and the keepers of the bridge held one. The borough rents amounted to
£3 4s. 4d. |
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TENANTS IN WARKWORTH, 1498.
N |
| Name of
Tenant. |
Holding |
Yearly Rent.
s. d. |
| John Wylson |
2 burgages, 3d.... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre |
- |
| Henry Hasand |
1 burgage, 6d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 9 |
| Richard Rose |
1 burgage, 6d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 4d |
0 10 |
| Agnes Rose |
1 burgage, (waste) |
0 6 |
| In the lord's hands |
1 burgage, (called Blakhall) |
- |
| William Brewster |
1 burgage |
0 3 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage, 5d. ... ... 2 selions in
Endemyre 3d |
0 8 |
| William Smyth |
1 burgage, 3d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 6 |
| Gilbert Bell |
1 burgage, 2d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 5 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage, 5d. ... ... 1 selion 4d |
0 9 |
In the lord's hands, occupied
by Robt. Purveux |
1 burgage |
2 6 |
| Robert Purveux |
1 selion in Endemyre |
0 3 |
| John Medewe |
2½ burgages |
0 9 |
| John Jamys |
1 burgage, 4d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 7 |
| Henry Kyrkby |
2 burgages |
1 10 |
| John Elder |
1 burgage, 6d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 9 |
| Joan Johnson |
1 burgage, 6d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre |
- |
| Henry Hasand |
1 burgage |
0 9 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage |
0 6 |
| Robert Marshall |
1 burgage, 6d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 9 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage, 6d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 9 |
| Robert Barker |
2 burgages |
2 0 |
| Henry Barker |
1 burgage, ... ... 1 parcel of land
called Wamboys |
2 6 |
| John Dover |
1 burgage |
1 6 |
| The vicar of the church |
for various burgages |
|
| John Bednell |
1 burgage and 1 garden 10d... ...1 selion
in Endemyre, 3d |
1 1 |
| Thomas Hudson of Hawkesley |
1 burgage, 4d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 7 |
The chaplain of St. Mary's
chantry, Alnwick |
1 burgage, 2d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 5 |
| George Lylbourn |
1 burgage |
0 4 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage |
0 2 |
| In the lord's hands |
1 burgage, waste, called Sclatehowe |
- |
| John Porter of Morwyk |
1 selion belonging to said waste burgage |
0 3 |
| The widow of Wm. Brotherwyk |
1 burgage, 3d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 6 |
| In the lord's hands |
1 burgage, waste |
- |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage, 6d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 1d |
0 7 |
| John Scalys, chaplain |
New rent for 1 parcel of land, waste,
late held by John Smothynge |
0 6 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage |
0 6 |
| John Bedenell |
1 burgage |
0 6 |
| The churchwardens |
2 burgages |
1 0 |
| Waste |
1 burgage with a garden, 3d |
- |
| In the lord's hands |
1 burgage |
0 8 |
| George Percy |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion in Endemyre
|
1 6 |
| The churchwardens |
2 burgages |
1 0 |
| The bridge keepers (custodes
pontis) of Warkworth |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion in Endemyre
|
0 6 |
The chaplains of St. Mary's
chantry of Alnewyk |
1 burgage |
0 2 |
| Thomas Bedisman |
1 burgage, 3d. ... ... 1 selion in
Endemyre 3d |
0 6 |
| Thomas Wharryour, Robert
Boys, Robert Wayte, the widow of Thomas Sterlynge, and John
James |
5 selions in Endemyre |
1 5 |
| Richard Hasand |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
1 0 |
| John Elder |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 6 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 3 |
| John Harbotell |
1 burgage, . ... ... 2 selions |
0 10 |
| The churchwardens |
1 burgage |
0 2 |
| John Theobald |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
1 0 |
| Henry Wayte |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
1 6 |
| Isabel Robynson |
2 burgages, . ... ... 2 selions |
2 0 |
| John Dychand |
1 burgage, . ... ... 2 selions |
4 0 |
| John Symson |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 3 |
The chaplains of St. Mary's
chantry of Alnewyk |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
1 0 |
| Robert Milnere of Guysyns |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 6 |
| Robert Anderson of Grange |
1 burgage, . ... ... 3 selions |
1 0 |
| Richard Boyse |
1 burgage, . ... ... 2 selions |
0 6 |
| Richard Robynson of Morewyk |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 9 |
he chaplains of St. Mary's
chantry of Alnewyk |
1 burgage, 5d . ... ... 1 selion 5d |
0 10 |
| John Horden |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 6 |
| The churchwardens |
2 burgages, . ... ... 2 selions |
0 6 |
| In the lord's hands |
1 burgage, . ... ... 2 selions |
4 0 |
| Launcelot Clark, son of John
Clark of Ambell |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 6 |
| William Greve |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 7 |
| William Goften |
1 burgage, . ... ... 2 butts of lands in
Endemyre |
0 6 |
| Thomas Haysand |
1 burgage, . ... ... 1 selion |
0 9 |
| John Smothynge |
2 burgages |
2 0 |
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| Summa totalis firme burg.
usque huc, 64s. 4d. |
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TENANTS AT WILL. |
| |
£ s. d. |
| There is a smithy which formerly paid
* yearly |
0 2 4 |
| A close called Poundeclose which
formerly paid |
0 2 0 |
A parcel of land called Saltegryse by
the Cokett, occupied by the tenants of Ambell
formerly paying |
0 3 0 |
| Edward Radclyf, constable of
Warkworth castle, for a close called Eglyshalgh |
0 3 4 |
| A parcel of land called Bowehalgh
which formerly paid |
0 0 6 |
| John Scalys for two small closes near
the chapel of St. Mary Magdalene |
0 2 0 |
| Edward Radclyf, constable, for the
Est Mayns and West Mayns |
10 6 8 |
| Ibidem, the corn mill |
8 0 0 |
| Ibidem, the herbage of a park
called Sunderland in the lord's hands besides the keep
of the lord's wild animals (ultra sustentacionem ferarum
domini in eodem) |
2 0 0 |
| Henry Barker, a common bakehouse with
toll and stallage |
1 6 8 |
| In the lord's hands a garden of which
the herbage and fruit is worth yearly |
* |
| A burgage next the castle in which
the castle gate keeper lately lived. |
0 6 8 |
| |
| Sum of the rents of
tenants at will, £22 6s. 6d. |
| |
| * blank. |
|
| |
On the 22nd of May, 1517, there was a
brawl near the walls of the castle between John Heron and Clement Ledyll
of Warkworth on the one side, and Robert Wilson, Henry Wilson, Robert
Smith, and Edward Arnold on the other. Robert Wilson was stabbed by
Heron, who forthwith, wit his accessory Ledyll, fled to Durham, where on
the 24th of the same month he obtained the sanctuary of St. Cuthbert.
N Three years later, on the 5th of March, 1519/20, Alan Elder
was so wounded on Bilton Moor by George Mayll of Warkworth (abetted by
his townsman Anthony Heron) that he shortly afterwards died : both Mayll
and Heron took sanctuary at Durham.
N
In the record of the muster taken in 1538, the township of
Amble grouped with that of Warkworth ; out of the total number of
fifty-five men provided by the two places only the officers and garrison
of the castle and one or two others, making up the number of eight, were
furnished ; the remainder were entered as able men, but wanting horse
and harness. |
| |
| WARKWORTHE WITH HAMBELLE MUSTER ROLL,
1538.
N |
| |
|
Cuthbt. Carnaby, esquyer, constable of
Warkworthe, and hys servnts.
Leonerde Myres, Robt. Kellett, Robt. Davyson, George Care,
keper of Warkworthe park. Thomas Huntley, under keper of
Acklington park; able with horse and harnes.
Robt. Davson, Georg Fynche, able with horse and harnes.
Thomas Lyone, John Whaylle, Thomas Turner, Robt. Burnyng,
Andrew Fawsyde, Thomas Wyghtman, Robt. Myllner, Cuthbt.
Wightman, Water Wylie, Willme Coll, George Yong, Heire
Hudson, Thomas Hall, Edmond Hewyston, Robt. Care, Thomas
Wyghtman and William his son, John Dave, Thomas Hedley,
Thomas Blaykstay, Pet. Hunt, Joh Wyllson, Robt. Halle,
Willme Proffete, George Herryson, Henry Davson, John
Allenson, John Wyghtman John Wyllson, Wyllme Franchez,
Thomas Proffett, Willme Ellder, John Dychame, Thomas Ersden,
Ed. Landyll, Thomas Redell, Robt. Hudson, able men wanting
horses and harnes.
WARKWORTH: Ed. Hudson, Thomas Horden, Thomas Monk, Henry
Lyddyll, Thomas Stelle, Thomas Wryght, Robt Mastayn, Leonard
Brdon, Rolande Hurdilton, John Aynsley, able men wanting
horse and harnes. |
| |
|
| |
| A survey made about the year 1567
N possesses, besides its intrinsic value, a special interest
in the side-lights cast upon the district and it inhabitants. The
violence of the Coquet in flood time, and its changing course, the old
haven at the foot of the New-town, and the traditional settlement of the
latter with fishermen, are noticed, as is the export trade of coal and
grindstones. In the town the old tolbooth lay waste ;
N there had been a moot-hall, but even its site was forgotten,
and for want of a more suitable place the manorial courts were
customarily held within the parish church, though it was inconvenient
for such a purpose ; the bridge masters (custodes pontis) still survived
and possessed a freehold burgage as an endowment. |
|
|
At the first situation of
the said borowghe, before the same was inhabited, yt was
thought that in all the lordship of Warkworth there was not
one so mete a place to be founde like the scyte of a
borowghe as it is wher nowe the same is situate and builded
for divers considerations, first beyng situate upon the said
ryver Cockett wherein the sea hath course to ebbe and flowe,
and also not farre from the haven or water mowthe, which at
that tyme ranne forthe at on parcell of grounde nowe called
th' old haven to the sea, and not farre from the iland
Cockett, which was not onely one greate streinght for the
haven diverse wayes but also betwext the said iland and the
land, shippes, crayers or boates might and yet may well have
place called a rode-stead to rydde in by auncre in saveftye
unto such tyme the tyde did serve to goo into the said haven
or abyde the wynde to serve them in the vyadge, in fishinge
or else where, and for that at that tyme, as nowe, were also
requisite was thought good for diverse causes those persons
which sholde trade ther traffique by sea as maryners or
fishermen (owners of shippes and merchaunts onely excepted)
sholde inhabyte and dwell together, evene so was sett forthe
one parcell of grounde for theme to inhabit upon, as this
daye called the Newe-towne, and nowe, althoughe not
inhabited, the grounde or rigge therof is nowe used and
occupyed by the burgesses of Warkeworth (althoughe at the
lord's will as herafter appeareth yet) in like sorte as they
occupye their burrowe garthes, parcell of ther said browghe,
and burgages, and as the same parte of that browghe which is
betwixt the castell and the bridg was appoynted for th'
inhabytinge of such as was merchaunts and other
handye-crafts-mene, as well for the utteringe and sale of
ther wares, as also for lodging of such persons as had or
shold have occasion to resort they, even so suche as sholde
occupye and trade the seas, dwellinge at the sayd place
called Tenter-hewghe and the New-towne, sholde alwayes be
nere the haven, and see ther ships and . . . . .. . .
. [line missing].
. . . . . . . . Within this lordship, verie
nighe the said castell and browghe, is diverse things to be
had for the comodety of suche persons as used ther traffique
or trade of gettinge ther livinge by sea, as coale mynes,
grynde-stone quarells, with diverse others which neadeth not
here to be resyted, besyde suche thinges as by th' industrye
of persons which bathe knowledge therm might be had, and as
the premyss did gyve unto suche as wer of gret wysedom at
the begynnynge to plante ther borowes in such apte and mete
places as this borowghe of Warkworth is sett and planted in.
Evene so as yt ys all togethers as well to the lord's
comodetye of that lordship, the welth of the inhabiters ther,
the profite and comforts of th' inhabitors of the whole
countrye, likewise we, consideringe our duety to God and
neighbor, may be ashamed-not to go thorowe and accomplishe
those things founde owte for our welth by suche as before us
hath bene, but rather abolyshinge and neglectinge the same
we permytt and suffer ourselves throughe idlenes to be
noiated
N and called th' abject of this lande and
continually livinge in penury and distress.
The said borowghe of Warkworth is strongely situate in ane
angle as befor. If the course of the sayd water of Cockett
wer at the west syde of the sayd borowghe stayed, as yt
easily may be, so that the grounde of the burgage ther nor
of any place adjoininge to the same would not by vyolence of
the sayd water be worne awaye, in likwyse the water having
the course to the west syde yt sholde growe so deph, there
shold be no passage ther, nor lykwyse one no parte of the
back syde of the sayd borowghe yf the passage at the
bridgesend were stopped, and also at Helsaye forde, and one
stone walle and on good payre of gates in the same for the
passadge from the . . .
[illegible]. . . .towardes the sowth the
sayd walle to be mad from the kilne howse to the castell
moyte then sholde the tow . . .
[illegible]. .
. . |
|
*
*
*
*
* |
| The burgesses of Warkworth have one common
pasture ground lyinge one the west syde of the water Cockett
on the north syde of Morwick which ther auntecessors had by
the gift of Sr Hewghe Morwyke the lord of Morwyck, the said
ground because it lyeth without the sight of the towne of
Warkworth, and also that yt ys all open yt ys eaten and
surcharged with the cattell of Morwyck, Walk-mylne and
Brodderwyck, so that the said burgesses have but small
comoditye therof, yt ys against ail reason that yt shold be
so used with th' inhabiters of the sayd towne, for that if
right they have not challenged no comon nor pasture therein,
for the said burgisses do, and of auncyent tyme forthe of
memorye have been accustomed to, goo aboute the hounder of
the sayd cocoon ground every yeare upon St. Marke's day, and
yf they did fynde the same grounde digged or tyrved by any
of the sayd townshipps they wer greavously amerced at the
lord's courte, and yf they did fynde any of the cattell
pasturinge within the sayd comon they either did bring them
to the comon pounde at Warkworthe, or at least drove theme
forthe of the ground of the sayd comon, and took seurty of
th' owners therof to aunswer at the court of Warkworth for
there trespasses. |
|
*
*
*
*
* |
| And wher in auntyent tyme
ther hath bene within this borowghe of Warkworth one house
to keep the lord's courte in, called the mute-hall, nowe in
these our dayes ther is no suche place within the said
boroughe, for the said mute-hall bath tyme forthe of memorye
bene in ruyne and decaye, the mention of the scite therof
nowe not well to be knowen, so that nowe in these our dayes
we doe keape the lord's courte in the churche,
N one place which was never builded for such a
thinge and is as unfitt for the purpose, it wer good his
lordship's courte were keapt within the castle, and
especilly when his lordship were absent and did not lye
there, unto such tyme as God provyded to encrease in better
order and that ther wer a howse buylded for one courte-house
or mute-hall as in tyme auntyent yt bath bene as befor ys
declared. |
|
*
*
*
*
* |
| My lord hath all manner of ryaltyes
within his lordship of Warkworth, as also wreck of the sea,
jeatson, flotson and the like, if ther wer any trade of
shippinge or transportinge of any kinde of merchandize unto
and from this haven or boroughe of Warkworth, his lordship
have custome called chevagiu(m), and also of all suche boats
coming within the haven aforesaid, which is to be repected
in the like order as yt ys in the havyne of Alemowthe, in
the tytle wherof all such auntyent custom and dewtyes ys
fully and at leingth declared. |
|
*
*
*
*
* |
| The tennants of this lordship be for
the most parte nether well horsed nor yett have good armour,
wherfore it is much convenyent they shold be mustered by the
counstable taking vyewe of them, and cherishing suche as doe
dewtifully serve with good and able horses having good
armour ; th' other to be warned and have daye gevin unto
them for to prepare theme with such armour and horses as by
ther copyes they are bound to serve his lordship with all,
under the penaltye conteyned in ther sayd copyes, oneles
povertye requyer a further tyme for suche to provyde theme
with the premises. |
|
*
*
*
*
* |
The poverty of this towne or broughe
of Warkeworthe ys to be respected, for considering the gret
resort vs alwaye of gentlemen, as also others of mean degre,
to his lordship, which wilbe rather the more the tyme of his
lordship's abode in the castell of Warkeworthe, for diverse
considerations, for the which yt ys much necessarye that
ther shold be lodgings provided for theme, which in no wise
may be helped withowt the burgisses therof be, by some
means, benyfitted and helped so that they may be the more of
ability, and have to pleasour straungers withall then nowe
ys apperteaninge unto them, which by no way can be oneles my
lord gratify them with some comodetye and cause suche old
auntyent orders be newly taiken, as was at the first tyme
the sayd borowghe was playnted which be these than followe,
viz. :
First, that wher ther be nowe remayninge within the said
broughe, as partely is before toutched, many persons . . .
[illegible]. .
. .are not artificers but seake ther livinge by other means
and trade, such are not to be permitted to remayne and dwell
therein and to consider the quantite of the towne, the
nombre of burgesses, and then place so many artificers to
inhabit the same, so they be of such science and craftes as
is most able to wynne ther
lyvinge in the same, and so many of every occupation as
shalbe thought meate and expedyent, and wher ther he diverse
burgage of small quantite and will not serve for lodginge
for strangers on parte of them to be laid to others and so
make fewer of theme in nombre, th' other parte to remaine to
be dwellinge howses of suche as wilbe caryers of salte,
badgers of corne, or serve other for ther money, whom the
comon-welthe cannot want, this done, the New-towne plainted
with fishermen, the coalefeldes at Doxden
N and other places of this lordship wrought, the
free stone quarrells for gryndstone, the salmon fishing
mainteyned, no kipper slayne alonge the water of Cockett nor
in little becks which runeth into the same, the. . .
[illegible]. .
. .which is but. . .
[illegible]. . . .pase over casting broad
and deape and the course of the water stopped on bothe sydes,
beneaghe the same, which is easy to be done, and my lord of
his goodnes to gratifye the said burgisses with the west
demaynes, towle and stalladge, as also the burowe rent,
payinge his lordship and his heyres his old auntyent rent of
assize, then will ther be sufficient deapness of water,
within the haven, and water that shipps of indifferent
tunnidge or portadge, may come nighe the towne and have
lastadge sufficient for the full lodding of ther ships, the
sayd demaynes casten in closinge, inclosed with quickwood
dick, devided indifferently among the said burgesses . . .
[remainder unintelligible].
. . . |
| |
|
|
|
|
Edmund Hall and William Humberston who were at
Warkworth on the 19th of May, 1570, reported that: |
|
|
| The borough standyth on the north parte of the
castle at the foote of the hyll, meanly buylded and
inhabyted wyth many poore men which have no trade of lyvyng
but onely fyshyng to the sea, and some land not suffycyent
to maynteyne ther famyly, for the most parte of the landes
in Warkworth ys in demeane and graunted by the lord to
fermors which use the benefyte therof according to ther
graunt.
N |
|
| |
Grouped under the head
of the lordship of Warkworth, the following townships furnished a total
of twenty-eight men at the muster of the Middle Marches on the 2nd day
of May, 1580, viz.: Birling, seven ; High Buston, eight ; Acklington,
five ; East Thirston, two ; West Thirston, three ; Guvzance, two ;
Warkworth, one.
N
The following list shows the names and the nature and value
of the holdings of the tenants in 1585-1586
N |
| |
|
THE BOROUGH OF WARKWORTH. |
| Tenant |
Previous Tenant |
Holding |
Yearly Rent |
| |
s. d. |
| Agnes Huntley, widow |
Thomas Huntley |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
| John Alexander |
... ... ... |
1 burgage called the smithy house |
1 0 |
| Nicholas Mylner |
Robert Mylner |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 10 |
| John Cowle |
George Dawson |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
- |
| Robert Cowle |
Thomas Dawson |
1 burgage with 1 small waste |
- |
| Edward Howatson |
Ibid. |
1 burgage called the Black hall |
2 3 |
| Elizabeth Gofton |
Ibid. |
1 burgage with 2 selions in Endmyre |
0 8 |
| Nicholas Howatson |
The churchwardens |
1 burgage with 2 selions in Endmyre |
0 8 |
| Ibid. |
Edmund Howatson |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 6 |
| Ibid. |
Robert Burnegale |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 5 |
| John Wightman (under age) |
Thomas Wightman |
1 burgage and 1 selion called the
Churchwarden land |
0 9 |
| Heirs of John Taylor |
The said John Taylor |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
2 9 |
| Widow Hall |
St. Mary's chantry |
2 burgages |
0 9 |
| John Browell |
Ralf Hodshon |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 7 |
| William Carre |
|
1 burgage |
0 1½ |
| Thomas, son of John Taylor |
His father |
2 burgages with 1 selion |
1 9 |
| Robert Todde |
William Todde |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 9 |
William, son of Widow
Jackson |
— Yonge |
1 burgage |
0 6 |
| Robert Finche |
George Davy |
1 burgage |
0 9 |
| Ibid. |
His father |
1 burgage |
0 6 |
| Nicholas Barker |
Himself |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 9 |
| The widow of Nicholas Finche |
... ... ... ... |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 9 |
| Thomas Barker |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
1 6 |
| Cuthbert Hodshon |
His father |
1 burgage |
1 6 |
| John Mullen |
|
1 burgage |
1 6 |
| John Finche |
|
1 burgage |
1 8 |
| Thomas Hoppyn |
Himself |
1 burgage and 1 garden, with 1 selion
in Endmyre |
1 1 |
| Robert Finche |
|
1 house on the site of the
vicarage |
3 4 |
| The widow of Nicholas Finche |
|
1 burgage and 1 selion |
0 7 |
| William Barker |
|
1 burgage or house called Wamobes and
1 selion |
0 6 |
| William Finche |
The churchwardens |
1 burgage and 1 selion |
0 5 |
| The heirs of Thomas Huntley |
|
1 burgage |
0 4 |
| Richard Steyle |
Thomas Davy |
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 6 |
| Thomas, son of Robert Davy, decd. |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion in Endmyre |
0 6½ |
| Robert Finche |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion |
- |
| Richard Smith |
The churchwardens |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 7 |
| Robert Hall |
Widow Tomson |
1 burgage |
0 7 |
| John Wright |
Widow Hunter |
1 burgage |
0 6 |
| Heirs of Robert Beidnell |
|
1 burgage |
0 6 |
| John Finche |
Elizabeth Finche |
2 burgages and 1 garden |
1 11 |
| John Watson |
John Robinson |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
1 6 |
| Thomas Meadowe |
The churchwardens |
1 burgage |
0 4 |
Widow Lighton and Roger
Lighton |
Robert Lighton, husband
of Widow Lighton |
1 burgage |
0 9 |
| Thos. Prophet and Ric. Gofton |
The keepers of the bridge |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
| Thomas Davyson |
The chantry there |
1 burgage |
0 2 |
| John Watson |
John Cairbarne |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
| Robert, son of Edwd. Hall. |
His father |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
1 0 |
| Robert, son of Thos. Wylson |
Ibid. |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
| John Muncke |
Thomas Johnson |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 3 |
| Guy Finche |
The churchwardens |
1 small house |
0 2 |
| Thomas Bayard |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion |
1 0 |
| Bartram Wightman |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion |
1 6 |
| William Elder |
|
2 burgages with 2 selions |
2 0 |
| James Cley, son of Agnes wife of
Roger Cley |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 3 |
| Christopher, son of Thos. Earsdon. |
In right of the chaplain
of Alnwick |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
1 0 |
John, son of Wm. Maxon of
Guyzance ... |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
| John, son of George Singleton |
|
1 burgage with 2 selions |
0 6 |
| William Anderson |
|
1 burgage with 3 selions |
1 0 |
Heirs of William Johnson of
Grange |
Formerly John Wylson |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 9 |
| John Hall |
The chaplain of St.
Mary's there |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 5 |
| John Wilkinson |
Ibid |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 5 |
| Edmund, son of Thos. Horden |
His father |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
| John Bayard |
The chaplain of Alnwick |
2 burgages with 2 selions |
0 6 |
| Matthew Browne |
Margaret Broderwick |
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
Martin, son of Thos. Wight
man |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 6 |
| Richard Gofton |
|
1 burgage with 2 selions |
0 6 |
| Nicholas Sainct |
|
1 burgage with 1 selion |
0 9 |
| Thomas Wright |
John Sauthing |
1 burgage |
0 8 |
| Leonard Steyle |
Ibid |
1 burgage |
0 8 |
| William Turner |
Ibid |
1 burgage |
0 8 |
| |
|
|
|
| Summa of the burrowe
rentes aforesaid by yeare |
£2 17 7½ |
| |
|
| |
| The survey proceeds to state that : |
| |
The lordes of the said castle manor
and lordship have had, and alwaies used to have, Court Baron
from three wekes to three wekes, and Court Leet two times in
the yeare, viz., within one moneth next after Easter and
within one moneth next after the feast of St. Michael th'
archangle, together with all liberties, royalties, and
privileges belonging the same lete : with free warrant of
fishing and fowling, hawking and hunting throughout the
whole manor and lordship aforesaid, and all felones' goodes
and the goodes of fugitives and outlawes, the goodes of
felons of themselves and deodandes, all goodes wayved, goods
estraied, bloods and fraies and the correccion of the
breakers of th' assize of bread and ale, and other royalties
whatsoever happening within the said manor.
The lord and his ancestors have, and time out of memorie
alwaies have had, and used to have, all sea wreck happening
within the said manor and lordship ; the profit of ancorage
of everie ship or great boat comeing and landing within the
same ; and the custome or toll called thenagium of
all or anie goodes and wares sold forth of anie ship, boat,
or crare lying and being within the limits of the said manor
and lordship.
N |
|
| |
| In the month of June, 1591, a ship was
driven ashore at the mouth of the Coquet under circumstances detailed in
the following letter dated the 15th of June, written by William Fenwick
(one of the earl's officers) to the earl of Northumberland : |
| |
| Right honorable : Maye yt please your
lordship to be advertised that upon Sundaye at night last
there was a pynnis dryven in at Cockett mowthe, which the
companie doo alledge doth apperteign unto my lorde of Bathe,
and I understandinge therof beinge at Alnewick made my
repaire to the place where she was with the ayde and
assistance of the towne of Alnewick and other of your
honour's men theraboots, and cominge to them demaunded what
comission they had to goo unto the seas, could shewe none,
whereupon I cawsed the said shipp to be seased upon and
brought as nighe unto Warkworthe as any water would serve
withall, which said shipp was furnished with beare and
biscatt and other victualles and nothinge elles of any value
except two mucatts and some other fyve or vj small peeces,
and therupon I have cawsed the sayles and other impliments
of the said shipp to be brought and layed up in your honor's
castle of Warkworthe and stayed the said shipp at Cocket
mowthe and have broughte the company which were in the said
shipp unto Sr. John Forster, lord warden of the Middle
Marches, to be examined ; whose examinacions I send your
honour here inclosed, the coppie wherof the said Sr. John
Forster hath sent unto my lord admirall, and after their
examinacions taken I have comitted the said companie to the
castle of Alnewick; my doings and procedings wherein I
thought I could doo no les but signifie unto your honour
that yf there be anye forfeture fownde, your honour, havinge
intelligence as the case dothe stande, maye clayme that
which to your honour justly apperteigneth.
N |
|
| |
| Not long after, Sir John Forster, writing
from Alnwick to Lord Burghley on the 19th July, 1591, asks for
directions for the speedy trial of... |
| |
| ..the sixteen men driven ashore at Warkworth,
who lie here in great misery desiring their trial, and I am
greatly troubled keeping ten men to watch them and other
charges, having no fit gaol to keep them in ; seeing that
the matter belongs to the admiralty, I beg direction either
for their speedy trial or that they may be taken to Berwick
within my lord chamberlain's rule as vice-admiral. I have
written to Mr. Bowes to certify you and the council what the
king of Scots can lay to their charge, not knowing what he
has done, but I trust you will disburden me of keeping them
any longer.
N |
|
| |
Six years later, in the autumn
of 1597, the discipline of the wardens seems to have been relaxed, for
Tobias Matthew, bishop of Durham, writes to Lord Burghley, on the 24th
of November, suggesting that Mansfield, an officer of Lord Eure, and Mr.
Percy, constable of Alnwick, should be called upon for an explanation
`how it comes that for these two months or thereabouts the Scottish and
English thieves are quietly allowed to ride from the head of Liddesdale
through Redesdale to the very sea syde at and about Warkworth, as it
were traverse by a diameter throughout Northumberland, over and over,
againe and againe, without impeachment.'
N
In a survey made in 1616,
N the township was computed to have an area of 1,134 acres :
the lord's demesne lands, etc., comprised 786 acres, the waste and
common lands 265 acres, and the remainder was occupied by the street and
by the houses, gardens, garths, and closes of the burgesses, and by
their lands in the New-town. |
| |
The site of the borough town of Warkworth
beginning at the bridge there which is built of stone, with
two arches being ten perches and a half long and one perch
broad, with a gate house of stone at the south end thereof
and a prison in the same.
The names of the burgesses beginning `at the north side of the same
streete and going south' : George Peaton, John Allison, John
Barker and John Smith, John James, Richard Gofton, Daniel
Laing, Elizabeth
Watson, George Hall, Robert Wilson, Thomas Harper,
Edmond Finch, John Finch, John Beard, John Finch,
Christopher Elder, William James, John James, John
Wilkinson, Roger Taylor, Robert Haddon, Thomas Singleton,
John Mill, John Hall, John Wilkinson, Edmond Hordon, Thomas
Anderson, Thomas Clark, Thomas Wright, John Hall, William
Turner, George Whitehead (the kiln-house), Andrew Taylor,
William Hordon, Hugh Saint, William Cowper.
`Going back again to the west row and so forward to the church' :
Thomas Lewins, John Milines, William Dennet, John Cowle,
Thomas Gray, ibidem, Richard Gofton, Cuthbert
Dickinson, James Bell, George Stott, Roger Taylor, Thomas
Nixon, John Tweedy, William Wright, Robert Gofton, Margaret
Taylor, George Cocke.
`To a lane called Todd's Lane and so forward to the church' :
Charles Brewell, Robert Mallery, Robert Finch, ibidem,
Edmond Finch, ibidem, Agnes Barker, Cuthbert Hodshon,
Brian Hodshon, John Lawson.
Mr. John Warewick,. vicar, a tenement being parcel of
his lordship's demesne.
`To a lane leading from the street to the river' : Vicarage and
garth ; the church yard and site of the church ; `a little
yard wherein standeth the ruins of a decayed chappell.'
`Beginning at the east end of another short row and going west
towards the cross' : John Finch, senior, `a decayed messuage
and a backside lying now together, with the fore mentioned
chappell yard, containing 1 rood 10¾ perches.'
`A lane that leadeth to the church' : John Wright, William Straker,
Thomas Lewins, John Smith of Acklington, Robert Finch,
Robert Davy of Birling, Thomas Lyndsay, Henry Finch,
ibidem, John Finch, Robert Barker, Edmond Finch a house
stead and garth near the church style. |
|
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| The following is a brief collection of the
yearly rents, etc., of Algernon, earl of Northumberland, in the barony
of Warkworth in 1635 :
N |
| |
| |
£ s. d. |
£ s. d. |
|
Free rents in Warkworth |
|
1 12 11 |
| Borough rent, with the rent
of the bakehouse |
|
4 11 11 |
| The rent of the park |
|
30 0 0 |
| The rents of the demesnes |
|
130 18 6 |
| The rents of the mill, the
Coquet fishing, and the sea fishing |
|
240 18 6 |
| The rent of Acklington park |
|
53 0 0 |
| Tenement and cottages' rents
in Acklington |
|
53 12 2 |
| Tenement and cottages in
Birling |
|
42 7 10 |
| Rent in New-town, £5 15s 3d.
; Buston, £9 ; Brotherwick, £1 3s. 4d. |
|
16 8 7 |
| |
|
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Deductions : |
|
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| To the bailiff for his fee
per annum |
3 0 8 |
|
| To the borough grieve for
collecting the borough rent, per annum |
1 6 8 |
|
| |
|
|
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|
4 7 4 |
| There remains clear the sum
of : |
|
£541 4 7 |
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| At Easter, 1667, the following tenants
answered at the manor court :
N |
|
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| WARKWORTH COURT ROLL (EASTER), 1667. |
| |
|
`Warkworth borough': Thomas Cook, Jane
Elder, William Nicholson, Edward Huntley, Lionel Lawson,
John Kirton, Margaret Watson, Matthew Shotton, William
Armorer, Peter Bush, William Brown, Katherine Wood, William
Elder, jun., George James, Henry James, Gilbert Cleugh,
Christopher Bard, William Taylor, John Bard, Thomas Mill,
Isabella Hogg, Henry Wilkinson, Thomas Bard, Thomas
Anderson, John Donkin, Thomas Robinson, Thomas Dining,
Nicholas Lewin, gent., John Saint, Elizabeth Scroggs,
Dorothy Cleugh, Richard Taylor, Nicholas Lewin, Thomas
Harrison, Isabella Hogg, Martin Turner, Thomas Turner,
Martin Brown, Thomas Davey, Christopher Gibson, Thomas
Clark, Barbara Anderson, William Gibson, Anne Cleugh, the
heirs of William Fenwick, Roger Simpson, John Huntley,
George Cook, Thomas Browell, Mary Osmotherley, Robert
Widdrington, ibidem, ibidem, Richard Lisle,
Thomas Warwick, William Mill, John King, Bryan Hodgson,
Henry James, John Heslehead, William Finch, Elizabeth
Lindsey, William Robinson, Thomas Elder, John Dinning,
William Elder, John Collingwood, — Hodgson, Catherine Wood,
ibidem. |
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|
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| The extracts are taken from the Court Rolls
of this period : |
| |
1681, 22nd October. We present the
surveyor of the highways, viz., William Elder, jun., for not
observing his office in giving warning to amend the street
and highways according to the statute; we therefore amerce
him 3s. 4d.
1693, 12th October. Whereas we have amerced Ellianor, the
wife of Robert Swann, for abusing the jury, and for a
turbulent and abusive scold amongst her neighbours, and
amerced her 16s. 8d. Wee doe order that if for the future
she persist in scolding and abusing her neighbours, and give
any of her neighbours unbecomeing and unseemly words, we doe
unanimously agree and further order that immediately after
her abuse that the constable within the burrough of
Werkworth shall forthwith take her and bring her to the
ducking stooll, and then punish her according to the law in
that case made and provided. And we doe order that the
bayliff or burrow greive of the said burrowe doe give him,
the said Robert Swan, notice hereof, as also the said
Ellianor, to the intent she may avoid the penalty and
punishment of the law.
1700, 16th October. Wee doe therefore order noe person or
persons inhabitting or residing within this burrough, and
village or hamlet of Birling, shall for the future harbour
or entertain any Scotts men or women or any other strainger
whatsoever within any of their seavrall and respective
burgages or dwelling houses, or in any part or parcell of
their farme houses or any other dwelling houses whatsoever,
untill the owner, farmer, or occupier of any such lands or
tenements shall first repaire to Mr. William Milbourne, the
lord of this mannor's officer for the time being, and give
him such reasonable security as the law requires, or els to
forfeit 39s. 11d. a peece.
1711, 12th October. Barbara Milbourne, Thomas Cook, and James
Pattison for refusing and denying the ale-taisters to examin
whether their ale was wholesome according to their office.
Wee amerce them as on their heads, 2s.
William Grumwell for vending white bread wanting 3 ouncess
and half of weight in one penny loafe, wee amerce him 12d.
1732, 12th October. Michael Hogg and William Browne, ale-conners,
for being remiss in their office in not insisting upon a
quart of ale and paying 1d. for it when goeing about the
town to taist the ale, wee amerce them 12d. |
|
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The burgesses of
Warkworth were originally copyholders, paying to the lord ` upon every
surrender or alienation one year's rent of every such burgage so
alienated or surrendered, and for relief after the death of every such
burgess one year's rent.'
N They do not find a place in the exhaustive list of
freeholders in Northumberland preserved in the Book of Rates in 1663,
though forty-seven years later they were recognised to be such.
The earliest Poll Book for Northumberland which has survived
shows that at the election of the knights of the shire on the 23rd of
October, 1710, forty-four persons voted for freeholds at Warkworth : |
| |
|
David Linn, William Ramsay, Bartholomew
Waugh, Edward Young, John Shotton, Cuthbert Collingwood,
Thomas Hodgson, John Wilkinson, Robert Wilson, Robert
Shanks, Mark Elder, John Lamb, John Donkin, John Huntley,
Matthew Shotton, John Saint, James Pattison, Robert Gibson,
Robert Anderson, William Brown, James Rathey, Robert
Davison, William Wharrier, John Fawcus, George Castles, John
James, Thomas Baird, Francis Warwick, Thomas Nicholson, John
Wood, Robert Watts, Thomas Clark, John Hudson, John Donkin, and John Turner,
who all loyally polled for Lord Hertford; Edward Valentine,
Thomas Cook, Henry Younger, Jesse Gordon, Ralph Linton,
Robert Fawcus, and William Weddell split their vote between
Lord Hertford and . . . . Ogle ; Nicholas Lewin split his
between Ogle and Tom Forster, and John Huntley polled for
Lord Hertford and Forster. |
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|
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| The Court Rolls for the same year give the
names of other tenants than those who appear upon the Poll Book. |
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| WARKWORTH COURT ROLL, 1710
N |
|
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|
Barbara Milburn, widow, late Robert Milburn
; Edward Young, late Roger Young ; Thomas Nicholson, late
William Swan ; John Huntley, late Daniel Laing ; James
Patterson, late Richard Gofton ; ibid.; John Hudson, jun.,
late Anthony Blake ; John Hudson, late Anthony Anderson and
George Hall ; Robert Wilson, late Robert Wilson ; Matthew Shotton, son of Matthew Shotton ; Thomas Cook, late Edmund
Finch ; John Watts holds of the queen ; Edward Valentine,
late Robert Valentine, his father ; Agnes Milburn, widow of
William Milburn ; Roger Young, late William Elder ; Mr. John
and Thomas Davison ; William Ramsay, late John Watt ; John
Wilkinson, late Henry Wilkinson ; Thomas Baird, late
Christopher Baird ; Dorothy Bowden, late John Bowden ;
William Wharrier, late Thomas Mills ; John Hogg, late
William Bullock ; John Wilkinson, late John Wilkinson ;
Thomas Baird ; Alice Shanks, late Thomas Anderson ; John
Doncon, late John Saint ; Robert Young, late Thomas Robinson
; Jane Dinnand, late Robert Hall ; Jasper Gordon, at
Widdringtone, late — Lewins ; John Saint, late John Saint ;
John Doncon, late John Saint ; Anne, wife of Ralph Byram,
late Dorothy Coulson ; John Fawkas, late Constance Taylor ;
Nicholas Lewens, late Thomas Lewins.
`Going back to the west row, and so forward to the church':
John Moscropp and William Bewdell, in trust for David
Nesbit, before them Thomas Lewin ; ibid., another burgage ;
Mr. Robert Davison, late Thomas Lewin ; Margaret and
Elizabeth Barker, minors ; Robert Anderson, late William
Coul ; John James, late Ann wife of Patrick Anderson ; John
Turner, late Thomas Turner ; Elizabeth Brown, late Martin
Brown ; George Castles and Grace, his wife, late John Hawdon,
and Robert Hall and Jane, his wife, one burgage ; Edward
Brown ; Thomas Clark, son of Thomas Clark ; John Hogg, late
William Bullock ; Roger Young, late Edward Young ;
Bartholomew Waugh, in right of his wife ; Edward, earl of
Derwentwater, late Sir William Fenwick ; William Simpson,
late Roger Gofton ; John Shotton, in right of Jane his wife
; Ralph Linton, late George Cook.
`A lane called Todd's lane, and so forwards towards the
church' : James Rawthey and Elizabeth, his wife, late Cha.
Browell ; William Weddell, late Richard Cook ; George
Castles, late Edward Castles ; Robert Widdrington, gent.,
late Edward Finch ; Francis Warwick, late Patience Warwick,
and before her, Edw. Finch ; John Lamb, late Thomas Hudson ;
Robert Gibson, late Thomas Hudson ; Thomas Hudson, late
Bryan Hudson ; Jane Dinning, late Thomas Dinning.
Vicarage: Mr. William Ion, late Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. Robert
Davison, Mr. Nicholas Thomlinson, Mr. Robert Simpson, and
John Warwick, vicars.
`Beginning at the east side of another short row, and going
westward towards the cross' : John Wood, late Thomas Wood,
his father ; ibid.; ibid.
`A lane that leadeth to the church' : Cuthbert Collingwood,
late John Collingwood ; John Coilingwood, grandfather of
the said John Collingwood ; Eliza Elder, late William Elder
; Edward Valentine, late Edward Valentine and Elizabeth his
wife ; John Robinson of Acklington, son of Thomas Robinson ;
William Robinson, late Robert Davey of Birling ; John
Gibson, late William Lindsay ; Henry Younger of Widdrington,
late Henry Finch ; Robert Watts, son of John Watts; Robert
Widdrington, gent., late
Jane Jackson ; Edmund Finch holdeth a house, stead, and garth near unto
the church style containing 29 perches. 'The common bakehouse stood here,
opposite unto the house of Edmund Finch, but it is quite ruinated.' |
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A scene in the drama of
the rebellion of 1715 was enacted in the borough when Tom Forster at the
market cross, disguised as a trumpeter, proclaimed `King James III.' ;
and his chaplain, Buxton, in the parish church at the morning service,
on Sunday, October 9th, superseded Mr. Ion the vicar, and prayed for
James as king as well as for Mary the queen mother, and all the dutiful
members of the royal family. Ion discreetly withdrew himself and
proceeded to Newcastle to acquaint the municipal authorities there.
N
At the election of I722,
N forty-eight persons voted for freeholds in
Warkworth ; in 1734,
N 53 persons ; in 1774,
N 45 persons ; and in 1826,
N
43 persons voted. |
| |
The market place
is in the street ; in the middle of it is a market cross, erected about
the year 1830 by the lord of the manor upon the site of an older
structure, which Warburton, writing about 1715, describes as `a handsome
cross erected anno domini 1706 by George Lawson ' of Gloster-hill.
N Before its demolition and removal it was a plain upright
stone, set in a socket and raised by steps to the height of four or five
feet ; it bore emblems, but of what kind is unknown. At the end of last
century, there was a small market held every Thursday,
N and three fairs each year, viz., on the Thursday before St.
George's day, the Thursday before St. Lawrence's day,
N and the Thursday before Martinmas. The last-mentioned is the
only one which lingers, and is now represented by a cart of pigs and a
gingerbread stall.
Of the Borough school more will presently be said ; the
National schools, which succeeded a small school held in the parvis or
chamber over the porch of the parish church, were built in 1824,
N
on a river-side strip of the lord's waste. The foundation stone of the
chapel of the Presbyterian church was laid in August, 1828.
N A structure built in 1866 for a Baptist chapel was (with the
consent of the Charity commissioners) sold by the trustees in 1889, and
is now a public hall belonging to the trustees of the village reading
room.
What is now the `Sun' inn represents a burgage which in the
seventeenth century belonged to the family of Lewin, who were
freeholders in Amble and Hauxley. The
personal estate of Thomas Lewin of the parish of Warkworth, whose
inventory was filed at the Durham Registry in 1642, amounted to £336 6s.
; his will cannot be found, but it was proved by his sons, John, Thomas,
and Henry. On the 11th of November, 1639, John Lewin took out a licence
to marry Martha Armorer, and at a court held on the 21st of October,
1686, Nicholas Lewin was admitted to a burgage which had belonged to his
father, Thomas Lewin, deceased.
N |
| |
| 1719, 26th November. Will of Nicholas
Lewins of Bamburgh, gent., to be buried at the discretion of
my trusty friends, Thomas Wood of Burton and John Davison of
Warkworth Barns, gents. To my cousin Jane Lewins, sister of
my cousin, John Lewen of Alemouth, at 21 or marriage, £20.
To my cousin, John Ladeler of Newcastle, £40, to he paid at
the expiration of his apprenticeship. To my cousin, Matthew
Ladeler, who now lives at the Friars, £10 when 21. To my
nephew, Nicholas Bowman, £20 ; and to his son, Nicholas
Bowman, £5. To my sister, Margaret Bowman, £3 a year. To my
granddaughter (query, goddaughter), Elizabeth, wife of
Fenwick Bowman, certain linen lying in the great chest in
the kitchen chamber. To my godson John Dawson, £20 when 21.
To the poor of the parish of Bamburgh, £4. To the poor of
the parish of Warkworth, 20s. To the above named Thomas Wood
and John Davison, and to Mr. Edward Grey of Shoseton, a
guinea apiece to buy each of them a ring. The residue of my
personal estate and my messuage and maltkiln in Warkworth,
now in the possession of Thomas Dawson and George
Greenswords, to my cousin, John Lewins of Alemouth, for life
; remainder to his issue lawfully begotten ; remainder to
Margaret, wife of Thomas Dawson of Warkworth, and her heirs
for ever.
N |
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Nicholas Lewin was
buried at Bamburgh on the 9th of December, 1719,
N and his devisee cannot have long survived him, for in an
inquisition taken on the 5th of October, 1724,
N it was found that the Warkworth burgage had devolved upon
Margaret Dawson. She was aunt to the John Lewin
N named in
the will and had been married on the 14th of August, 1709, to Thomas
Dawson of Warkworth.
N Her grandson, George Dawson of Monkwearmouth shore,
innkeeper, on the 31st of October, 1783, conveyed the burgage to Joseph
Harrison, who, twenty-one years later, conveyed or reconveyed the ` Sun'
inn to his tenant, John Muers of Warkworth,
N who about 1825 rebuilt the house. It was sold in 1866 by
William Myers (son of the above named John Muers) to the duke of
Northumberland.
The house next the castle wicket was formerly an inn under the sign
of the ` Queen's head.' In 1720 it was the property and residence of
Ralph Fenwick, who married on the 24th of June, 1701, at Rothbury, Sarah
Kirton of Hauxley. It was subsequently acquired by Robert Briggs of
Hawk-hill (died 1814), and was given by him to his son, William Briggs
of Cowpen, whose widow remarried Mr. James Thoburn, and as Mrs.
Esther Thoburn had an allotment of common in 1856. After her death it
was sold in 1865 by her daughter, Mrs. Middleton, and ultimately
acquired by the duke of Northumberland.
A few doors to the north is a house which has a stone
balustrade on the top, and displays greater architectural pretension
than its neighbours ; it was rebuilt in 1818 by James Grieve Burn.
N
On the opposite side of the street is a house for many years
the residence of Captain William Crawford of the Scots Greys, a Waterloo
veteran, who died 1865. Below it is a house belonging to Mr. Christopher
Ord, over the door of which is a very pretty pediment carved on stone by
a mason named Armstrong, brother to a former owner. Other houses on the
same side of the street have inscribed on their respective door-heads : |
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William and Alice Wharrier |
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Thomas and Isobel Baird |
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William and Sarah Carr |
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www.fusilier.co.uk 2009 |